Chemically Platonic

Chemically Platonic (31) Secrets and Valid Terms

            "Eleven Juliette, Eleven," My father spat angrily, barging into his study.

"Honey, I said I would handle this." my mother's hand touched my shoulder tenderly returning his harsh tone.

"No, something has to be done about this." I had never seen his eyes this angry before. Crumpled inside his fist were several papers and envelopes. He marched between us and slammed the papers on the top of his desk.

"Eleven letters, Juliette. You've gotten eleven rejection letters form colleges and universities across the country. You know when I saw the first few in the trash, I could understand being ashamed but eleven. Are there any acceptance letters?" He blinked at me waiting for a response.

I tried swallowing the lump in my throat but it refused to dissipate. Tears stung the corner of my eyes having him yell this close to my face. My hands shook at my side as I tried not to let a sob escape my lips even though I could feel it building up

"Eleven, Mary," He repeated, unable to believe it himself.

"John," My mother hissed but the disappointment in her voice was apparent too.

"Can you explain this, Juliette?" He asked as I stood there motionless, only blinking away any welting tears threatening to fall.

"What have you even been doing this whole year? Not one conditional acceptance or waitlisted. What is your plan? We've been patient enough with you. What have you and that boy been doing that has you so unfocused?" He asked still raising his voice.

My gasp turned into a snort as I raised my eyebrows is disbelief. I had gone from sad and angry to just angry. "You're fucking kidding me right?" I paused, although it was rhetorical.

"This is now just a surprise to you? Before Christmas vacation you were getting letters from my school 'expressing concern' with my grades and I didn't hear a peep from you but now that I'm not going to college somehow it's all a big deal?" I shouted.

"And don't blame this on Sam. He's the only reason I have a hope in hell of actually graduating and I'm sorry for disappointing you but no one is more disappointed in me then I am... so just save your concerned parent speech. Okay" Turning to leave I mumbled in a low voice, "It's too little too late."

Rushing down the hallway, I headed into my room giving the door a loud slam after me. Once the door was closed I let out a groan.

"Fuck," I exhaled, still rivaling in the adrenaline.

"I'm sorry." Sam's voice startled me initially but then I felt reassurance having him here.

I snorted again turning around, "I wondered if he would be more disappointed at twelve rejection letters." Waltzing to my desk, I picked up and thumbed my rejection letter from BCU; the university of Sam's dreams.

It hadn't hit me that this was potentially the end of the line for us. Our 'relationship' had an expiration date from the day we signed a coiled notebook but I could have never anticipated what was to follow.

Extending my hand, I offered Sam the letter.

"I already saw it," he said meekly sitting on the edge of my bed.

My fist tightened in disappointment. The amount of hours I spent torturing myself by starring at the letter eventually had to come to an end. Obviously the trashcan was no longer a safe place.